He was knocked out after seven minutes in his first game, had to wait three years for another chance – ironically, against his former club – and only got told an hour before kick-off he was in the team.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The NRL career of Canberra forward Kyle O'Donnell has been a wild ride.
O'Donnell was an 11th-hour inclusion to make his debut for the Raiders in Saturday night's 12-6 loss to Penrith at Sportingbet Stadium.
The 23-year-old was impressive in a 30-minute stint off the bench, getting through 12 hit ups and 103 metres along with 21 tackles.
He only got called into the side after Shannon Boyd and Jarrad Kennedy were ruled out with a virus.
"Yeah, it was a bit of a shock," O'Donnell said. "I was preparing to play reserve grade and got the call from the manager and told me to come to the team hotel.
''I only found out an hour before kick-off I was playing . . . It was a good experience.''
O'Donnell has done his chances of retaining his place in the Raiders team for Saturday's match with Newcastle at Canberra Stadium no harm.
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart will have a selection headache, with Boyd and Kennedy expected to be available to return.
Kangaroos and State of Origin enforcer Josh Papalii is also a chance of coming back from an ankle injury.
Papalii would be a timely addition to a forward pack that is likely to be without hit man Joel Edwards after he was concussed for the second straight week.
O'Donnell has patiently bided his time in the lower grades, having had several injuries in the past few seasons.
His older brother and former representative forward Luke O'Donnell was on hand to see him make his debut for the Raiders.
It came three years after a big shot from South Sydney enforcer Sam Burgess left Kyle O'Donnell unconscious just seven minutes into his first NRL game when he was at the Knights in 2011.
He did not play another game for Newcastle before he joined the Panthers last season and was unable to force his way into the first-grade side.
O'Donnell has relished his move to the Raiders and is enjoying learning from the club's senior forwards such as David Shillington and Brett White.
"It's been a great move, I'm so happy I did it,'' he said.
"Canberra's a great club and not many people realise the potential we have here.''
SATURDAY: NRL: Canberra Raiders v Newcastle Knights at Canberra Stadium, 3pm.
